EBC Annex 68: High Indoor Air Quality in Low Energy Buildings

IEA Energy in Buildings and Communities TCP

EBC Annex 68:

High Indoor Air Quality

in Low Energy Buildings

EBC Webinar:

The Science and Communication of Energy-Efficient Indoor Environments

10th November 2020

Prof. Carsten Rode, Technical University of Denmark


EBC Webinar: The Science and Communication of Energy-Efficient Indoor Environments - 10th November 2020

Indoor Air Quality Design and Control in Low Energy Residential Buildings

To achieve nearly net

zero energy use,

buildings shall be more

efficient and optimized.

Buildings shall be

airtight, and ventilation

rate will be limited to

what is necessary.

Minimal fresh air supply

increases the risk of

poor IAQ.

Project goal: comfortable and

healthy indoor environments

in energy efficient residential

buildings.

Ideal balance between

energy efficiency and the

need for ventilation while

considering indoor

pollutants.

We have gathered data tools,

and case studies to provide

some practical guidances for

practitioners.

P+ test and demonstration building Changzhou, China

(source: Nanjing University)

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Project Participants

Country Organization

Austria Universität Innsbruck

Belgium Ghent University

Canada British Columbia Institute of Technology

China Nanjing University

Czech Republic Czech Technical University of Prague

Denmark Technical University of Denmark

Estonia (observing country) Tallinn University of Technology

France Université La Rochelle

LOCIE, Université de Savoie

Saint-Gobain Recherche

Germany TU Dresden

Korea Korea Institute of Civil Engineering & Building Technology

The Netherlands TU Eindhoven

New Zealand Building Research Association of New Zealand

Norway Norwegian University of Science and Technology

Norwegian Institute for Wood Technology

Norwegian University of Life Sciences

United Kingdom University College London

USA Syracuse University

A total of 39 institutions from the above countries have contributed to the project.



Main Activities of the Project

1. Definition of indicators for IAQ and energy

2. Pollution loads in residential buildings

3. Modelling - analysis and classification

4. Building design and control strategies

5. In-situ measurements and case studies

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1. Definition of Indicators for IAQ and EnergyM. Abadie, Université La Rochelle, France

Objectives:

• Identify indices and markers to quantitatively:

– describe IAQ

– allow comparison with indices describing energy use.

• The metrics should allow quantifying the benefits of

different methods to achieve high IAQ and compare with

consequences for energy use.



IAQ and Energy Dashboard

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Acrolein

Carbon dioxide

Formaldehyde

Nitrogen dioxide

PM10

PM2.5

Radon

TVOC

0.001

0.01

0.1

1

10

100

1000

Acetaldehyde

Acrolein

Benzene

Formaldehyde

Nitrogen dioxidePM2.5

Styrene

Toluene

Trichloroethylene

0.01

0.1

1

10

Acetaldehyde

Acrolein

alpha-Pinene

Benzene

Formaldehyde

Naphthalene

Nitrogen dioxide

PM10

PM2.5

Radon

Styrene

Toluene

Trichloroethylene

Mold

IAQ – LTEL IAQ – DALY

IAQ – STEL Energy consumption

Maximal value: 8.5 (Benzene) Total: 1166 DALYs lost/(year.100,000 persons)

Maximal value: 55% (PM2.5) Energy consumption: 130 kWhPE/(m2.year)

LTEL:Long Term Exposure Limit

STEL:Short Term Exposure Limit

DALY:Disability Adjusted Life Years

Excel tool provided

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2. Pollution Loads in Residential BuildingsM. Qin, Technical University of Denmark

Analysis of the effects of temperature and humidity on

the emission of various pollutants and materials

Full test chamber method to assess effects of pollutant

sources and sinks, ventilation and air cleaning on IAQ

A procedure to estimate model parameters using VOC

emission data from small chamber tests

Emission model according to ”Similarity Approach”

Database

Reference buildings and “Common Exercises”



New Data on T and RH Effects on Emissions

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Database of Diffusion Similarity Factors

Diffusion similarity factor, kdiff,voc:

where m are diffusion resistance factors.

If kdiff,voc = 1, it means that the VOC and

water vapour molecules diffuse at the

same relative rate.

It may be realized that kdiff,voc has values

that differ from 1, depending on the

physical / chemical properties of the VOC

molecules.

,

v

diff voc

vockm

m=



3. Modelling - Analysis and ClassificationJ. Grunewald, TU Dresden, Germany

Practical integration of building performance simulation

tools.

A reference case with description of a problem, input

parameters and solution → a “Common Exercise”

Classification of the tools available according to their

strengths and weaknesses

Features and implementations required following the

analysis of the lack of available tools

Proposals for improving quality assurance standards in

the development of simulation tools

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Modelling Platform

Multi-scale and multi-disciplinary modelling platform for Combined Heat, Air, Moisture and Pollutant Simulation (CHAMPS)



Common Exercise (Modelling)

Modelling setup of the PASSYS test cell for non-isothermal test casePASSYS test cell

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Modelling setup of the PASSYS test cell for non-isothermal test case




VOC concentration in the PASSYS test cell with and without air change

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4. Building Design and Control StrategiesJ. Kolarik, Techical University of Denmark

Transition from theory to practice:

Bibliographic study

Series of interviews with key stakeholders in the building

sector (architects and ventilation designers, facility

managers, property developers and public authorities)

regarding implementation of standards and codes.

Inspiration for design and operation:

Catalogue of case studies presented according to:

"Objectives, description and methods",

"Main results and findings",

"Conclusions and lessons“

"Further reading".



Bibliographic Study and Interviews

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Catalogue of Case Studies



5. In-situ measurements and case studiesJ. Laverge, Gent University, Belgium

Analysis of the experimental possibilities available for

the assessment of IAQ in residential buildings.

Execution of experiments to provide validation data for

digital models. Three levels of increasing complexity:

a highly controlled single room,

a small student studio,

an occupied house

Compilation of results of IAQ measurements in

residential buildings with low energy consumption

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Case Studies

Spaces of investigated house (living room and dining room) during experiment



Case Studies

Evolution of the VOC concentration in the house

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Case Studies

Summary sheets including overall building data

(location, geometry, structure of the envelope, thermal

and ventilation systems) as well as information

concerning the measurement and levels of pollutant

concentrations in these buildings



Publications and Homepage

Homepage:

https://www.iea-ebc-annex68.org/

Thank you!

[email protected]

Final Reports:

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Documents

EBC Annex 68: High Indoor Air Quality in Low Energy Buildings